THE Kisutu Resident Magistrate's Court has ordered that the statements of Jamhuri's witnesses who are expected to testify in the treason case against the Chairman of the Chama cha Demokrasia na Maendeleo (Chadema), Tundu Lissu, not be broadcast live as the case has been.
The court in its decision issued today, Monday, August 18, 2025 by
the Presiding Judge, Chief Resident Magistrate, Franco Kiswaga, who is hearing
the case at this initial stage, following the Jamhuri's application.
Lissu had already opposed the request saying that such
an order would allow the court to operate in "darkness" and prevent
his supporters from following the case. Officials from his CHADEMA party also
criticised the court's order.
"Justice must be done and be seen to be
done," Lissu, who is representing himself after dismissing his attorneys,
said last week.
Lissu is the leader of Tanzania's biggest opposition
party and has been in detention since early April after he was charged with
treason and publication of false information. He has rejected the charges.
Lissu, who was shot 16 times in a 2017 assassination attempt, was runner-up in the 2020 presidential election but his party has been disqualified from participating in October's presidential and parliamentary votes.